Election November 2017: School Board Seats, School Bonds

Three candidates are running unopposed for three Portland Board of Education seats up for election this November. Two elementary school bond questions also are on the municipal ballot.

District 5 Representative Marnie S. Morrione is seeking a fourth term for the seat she currently holds. School board members’ terms run for three years. Morrione, who has a background in conference development and project management, previously served as school board chair and is chair of the board’s Curriculum and Educational Planning Committee.

Timothy D. Atkinson, a software engineer, is running for the District 4 seat. That seat was vacated by Stephanie Hatzenbuehler in September, just two months before her term ended, because she and her family moved out of the state.

Mark V. Balfantz, an attorney, is running for an at-large school board seat being vacated by Jon Eder, who is not seeking re-election this year.

There also are two school bond questions on the municipal ballot. One ballot question asks voters if they want to approve a $64.2 million bond to renovate all four schools now. The other asks voters if they want to authorize $31.6 million to renovate two schools now – Lyseth and Presumpscot – waiting to renovate Longfellow and Reiche later.

The City Clerk’s office began accepting absentee voting by mail, phone or in person on Tuesday, Oct. 10. People wishing to vote in person can do so at City Hall in the State of Maine Room on the second floor. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, for any resident wishing to register to vote or vote by absentee. Residents can also request an absentee ballot be mailed to them. Election Day this year is Nov. 7, and all polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.